The real answer is that love bombing is simply a behavior pattern that can be benign, or beneficial, or destructive.

A healthy way it might play out would be:

Initial infatuation ->

-> communication leads to deeper and more wholistic appreciation ->

-> moderation into a mutually comfortable new status quo.

But, the way tiktok understands the term is closer to 'anyone who is really nice to you and gives you a lot of attention, for no apparent reason, is potentially intentionally executed a fully consciously premeditated plan to manipulate you and then throw you away afterward.'

Can that happen?

Yep.

How can you tell the difference, before hand?

Uh, you basically can't, not right from step one anyway.